With the August 3 trade deadline holding the potential to swing the season for the Tampa Bay Rays, let’s ponder the Rays trajectory.
As things stand, the Rays (62-43) hold a 2.5 game lead over the Yankees (60-46). Making the playoffs is essentially a forgone conclusion, with FanGraphs putting those odds at 98.6%, but winning the division only 50.3%, with the Yankees chances of taking the division at 44.5%.
What do the Rays need to do to hold onto their lead? Let’s see your vote!
It’s quite clear that the Atlantic Division will be the toughest decision in hockey this season. The Florida Panthers will be back at full strength after a campaign lost to injuries, the Tampa Bay Lightning will remain a top team, the Buffalo Sabres will want to prove that last season wasn’t a one off, the Boston Bruins will be holding on for dear life not to slip out of the playoffs picture, just like the Ottawa Senators while the Toronto Maple Leafs will want to prove that last year was a one off. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens will hope to keep moving forward and remain near the top of the division and the league as well, of course.
In a recent article, THN’s Ryan Lambert has given his top-three goalies in what he calls the league’s best goaltending division, the Atlantic. Nobody will argue with his top choice: Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Bolts netminder has got nothing left to prove and has a couple of Stanley Cups to his name already. Last season, he posted a 2.27 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage with a 39-15-4 record. However, in the playoffs, he was 3-2-2 with a 2.18 GAA and a.897 save percentage; the Habs’ Jakub Dobes outdueled him, and Vasilevskiy fell in the first round.
Canadiens Demidov Enjoying A Deserved Break In California
Last Season’s Top Rivalry Moment Between Canadiens And Maple Leafs
The Canadiens Should Have A Big Scoring Race This Season
In second place, he has Jeremy Swayman, who finished third in voting for the Vezina Trophy with a 31-18-4 record, a 2.69 GAA and a .908 SV. The Bruins performed much better than most people hoped, and Lambert sees Swayman as one of the main reasons why. It’s hard to argue with that when most believed they would be out of the playoff picture. Of course, Swayman did have that one miserable season in 2024-25 when he was stuck in a contract dispute early on, which led to him missing the preseason, and he never really caught up. He ended the year with a 22-29-7 record, a 3.11 GAA, and a .892. He bounced back perfectly last season and put that year squarely in the rearview mirror.
Finally, Lambert gives the third spot to Swayman’s former partner in Boston and now main guy in Ottawa: Linus Ullmark. The Sens’ masked man ended the season with a 28-12-8 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .891 SV. He helped the Senators scrape into the playoffs but was swiftly dispatched in four games by the champions-to-be Carolina Hurricanes. That wasn’t on him, though; he lost the four games, but he posted a 2.03 GAA and a .932 SV. Ullmark couldn’t have done any better in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Dobes had a 29-10-4 record with a 2.78 GAA and a .901 SV. While he finished the year with respectable numbers, it has to be said that he had some tough stretches during the season as the Canadiens kept trying to get Samuel Montembeault back on track without regard to what going back to the Quebecer time and time again would do to the Czech netminder’s confidence. Once the Canadiens put their chips on Dobes, though, he rose to the occasion and was also great in the playoffs, finishing with a 9-6-4 record, a 2.66 GAA and a .908 SV.
What Dobes did from the moment he was given the reins of the team was enough to convince the Canadiens to sign him to a three-year contract extension even though he still had a year left on his contract. However, it wasn’t enough to convince the rest of the league of what kind of goaltender he would be in the future. That was his rookie season; he was still young and seen as an unproven commodity. He did catch a lot of people’s eyes, though, and if he can perform out of the gate this season as he did at the tail end of last season, he may very well make his way into this top three next offseason.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
They say you never forget your first. However, in sports there are so many firsts that one or two are bound to be forgotten over time. Today, we celebrate the birthday of a man who owns one of the most unique firsts in Yankees history. That man is Elmer Miller, the first New York Yankee to bat in a World Series and the first to record a World Series hit.
Elmer Miller
Born: July 28, 1890 (Sandusky, OH)
Died: November 28, 1944 (Beloit, WI)
Yankees Tenure: 1915-18, 1921-22
In all fairness, we say today is his birthday and that it would have been his 136th. Even that is up for debate; not the day, but the year. Some sources list Miller as being born in 1888 in Wisconsin instead of 1890 in Ohio. Semantics aside, Miller grew up in Sandusky before beginning a professional baseball career.
A right-handed hitting outfielder, Miller’s journey to the big leagues began in 1911 with the Duluth White Sox. Following that season, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. After just one season with Cincinnati, Miller was released and claimed by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals gave Miller his first taste of the major leagues in 1912. That season, he bounced between St. Louis and two minor league affiliates. In the majors, he appeared in 12 games, collecting seven hits in 37 at-bats. Miller never made it back to the big leagues with the Cardinals, instead spending the next three seasons primarily in the Southern League.
On July 23, 1915, the Yankees purchased Miller from the Cardinals. Much like his first stint in St. Louis, he struggled to stick in the majors and bounced between New York and the minor leagues. From 1915 through 1918, Miller appeared in 250 games for the Yankees, collecting 190 hits while slashing .233/.308/.298. He was exempted from World War I service due to his dependents, but he spent much of the next three years with the St. Paul Saints.
After that first run with the club, Miller would not appear in another game for the Yankees until August 1921. That season proved to be the best of his career. Miller hit .298 across 242 at-bats, caught fire during the final month of the season, and became the Yankees’ regular leadoff hitter as they charged to the American League pennant, the first the club had ever captured.
The Yankees met the Giants in the 1921 World Series. Batting first as the visiting club in Game 1, Miller led off the series with a single before eventually scoring on a Babe Ruth hit later in the inning.
Just like that, Miller became the first Yankee to bat in the World Series, the first to record a World Series hit, and the first to score a World Series run in franchise history. The Giants would ultimately win the series five games to three, but Miller’s name was forever inked in the history book pages.
Coming off the best season of his career, Miller quickly returned to earth in 1922. That July, the Yankees packaged him with Chick Fewster, Johnny Mitchell, Lefty O’Doul, and $50,000 in a trade with the Red Sox that brought Joe Dugan and Elmer Smith to New York. Dugan would go on to help the Yankees blossom into the dynasty fans came to know and love. Fate would not be nearly as kind to Miller.
In addition to missing out on the Yankees’ run of championships, Miller struggled with Boston and was out of the major leagues after the 1922 season. He continued playing for several semiprofessional clubs before eventually moving into coaching in Wisconsin and passing away due to heart issues at age 54. Miller’s career has largely been forgotten, but every Yankee who has dug into the batter’s box in the World Series since has done so in Miller’s footsteps.
Happy birthday, Elmer!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Danny Wild/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
CHICAGO — When the Chicago Blackhawks selected Patrick Kane No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft, they counted on the forward, then just 18, to give their rebuilding team and its sputtering offense an immediate boost.
Fast-forward 19 years: The Blackhawks again hope that Kane, now 37 and entering his 20th NHL season, will do the same after signing the all-time scoring leader among U.S.-born players to a two-year, $16 million deal.
“I mean that’s kind of always what I’ve been known to do is help produce,” Kane said at the Blackhawks practice facility. “I don’t think that’s going to change any time now. I’m excited to come back and try to produce and fit in with all these young players and guys that I can play with, help build chemistry, learn. So do all those things. Help the team win. Help the team score.”
Kane said he feels strong three years after undergoing a major hip resurfacing surgery and rehabbing his way back for three solid seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.
Kane has 1,400 points in 1,369 career NHL games (508 goals and 892 assists). He cranked out 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games last season for Detroit and says he’s not slowing down.
Kane had discussions with his hometown Buffalo Sabres after becoming a free agent on July 1. But it seems to have been an easy decision to return to Chicago, where he spent his first 15-plus NHL seasons and helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships as one of the NHL’s most electrifying players.
Kane said there wasn’t one deciding factor in returning to Chicago, where he has spent his summers. He acknowledged the homecoming, but said his biggest focus is helping a team “that’s on the rise, a team that’s looking to make some big steps forward and trying to make the playoffs”
“It’s not like I’m just coming back home, to you know, ride off into the sunset or whatever it is,” Kane said “You know I want to be a big player here and help the team win.”
Part of that will be meshing with Chicago’s young forwards. That starts with center Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks only other No. 1 overall draft pick who was selected in 2023.
Bedard will miss the early part of the season after left shoulder surgery on July 8. Bedard, who signed a five-year, $75 million contract, got hurt skating with a group of NHL players near his home in suburban Vancouver. Once Bedard returns, Kane can’t wait to skate with him.
“He’s such a special player,” Kane said. “This will be my 20th year in the league and I’ll probably see passes I’ve never seen before playing with him. But I mean, wherever I fit in, I fit in. No matter who it is, I’m going to try to make the most of it.”
The statistical symmetry between the Blackhawks in 2006-07, the season before Kane entered as a rookie, and last year’s team is stunning.
The 2006-07 Blackhawks scored just 201 goals, second lowest in the NHL, as they went 31-42-9 for 71 points. With Kane in the lineup the following year — and posting 21 goals and 51 assists — Chicago jumped to 40-34-9 and 88 points. The Blackhawks scored 239 times and narrowly missed the playoffs.
In 2025-26, Chicago finished at 29-39-14 with 72 points, and scored just 213 goals, behind only Calgary (212).
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said it was time to bring Kane back after dealing him to the New York Rangers just before the March 2023 trade deadline.
Davidson was beginning a major overhaul of his roster then. In addition to focusing on prospects, he said the Blackhawks also needed to focus on building a new leadership core.
That process, with Bedard leading the way, already has started, Davidson said. Kane can only help now.
“They (Blackhawks young players) already know their way around the league a little bit,” Davidson said. “It’s the right time for him (Kane) to come, step in, join a group of of not all young players –- but a considerable group of young players -– and provide high-end play, but also high-end leadership and a lot of different things that he can impart on our young players.”
We are in late July, aka the Dog Days of Summer, or the abyss of the NBA season. Kevin has a great piece about why the Washington Mystics had a great WNBA All-Star Weekend, highlighted by their win in the Shooting Stars Competition. But let’s focus back to the Washington Wizards for this story.
Over the past weekend, LeBron James decided to take his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers, which just happens to be the NBA market geographically closest to Washington. James, who is 41, is still more than capable of being a key starter for a top level team. And that’s going to shake up the power rankings.
John Schuhmann of NBA.com posted his latest power rankings for the Eastern Conference yesterday. After Washington acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis last winter, wouldn’t that make a Young/Davis/AJ Dybantsa trio a postseason team, which means Top 10 in the East? Nope. He had them at No. 12. Here is Schumann’s blurb.
Key question: Can the young guys keep developing?
The Wizards were the worst team in the league last season, but there were some individual signs of progress with their young core …
- Kyshawn George saw the third biggest jump in points + rebounds + assists per 36 minutes among 290 players that played at least 500 minutes in each of the last two seasons.
- Alex Sarr, George and Bub Carrington saw the second, eighth and 11th biggest jumps, respectively, in effective field goal percentage among 123 players with at least 500 field goal attempts in each of the last two seasons.
Trae Young should help those players get better shots. The Wizards ranked 26th in shot quality last season, but their shot-quality score was much higher (top-five level) off of Young’s passes in the five games he played. However, the offense was still bad (106.6 points scored per 100 possessions) in his 104 minutes on the floor. The young guards will also have to adjust to getting far fewer touches, and it remains to be seen if Sarr and Davis can fit together offensively.
Dybantsa is the future, but there’s a decent team here if the returners can find their way in what may be a very different offense from what we’ve seen over the last few seasons.
I think Schuhmann is hedging his bets here. If Dybantsa fires on most or all of his cylinders, Young plays all season and Davis remains in Washington for the whole 2025-26 season (not to mention remaining healthy), then the Wizards should be a postseason team. But the Wizards also haven’t shown they can make a jump from worst team in the NBA to just a below average team. Also, it wouldn’t shock me to see Anthony Davis get traded by the deadline in Feb. 2027 for … more draft picks. So I can see why he is skeptical.
In addition to Schumann, Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation’s NBA Editor is also skeptical of the Wizards’ improvement relative to other NBA teams for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. In his latest rankings, post LeBron to Philly, the Wizards are at No.27 (and by extension, 13th in the East). That’s better than No. 30. But the Wizards are still effectively at the bottom of the barrel, even with a potential future All-Star in Dybantsa.
Do you think that the Wizards are ranked too low in the power rankings? Let us know in the comments below. And in case you missed it, our SB Nation Reacts poll is also below, but right above the comments section!
The naming of things can sometimes be funny. A small or cheap item can have a regal name attached that does not fit the size or stature of the actual product. For years, the “Great Lakes Classic” preseason matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions fit the “big name, small game” typology.
“The Battle for the Barge,” as fans would call the GLC, was regularly played between two teams who were only “Classic” in that they have both been around a long time, both were founded in Ohio (the Lions were originally the Portsmouth Spartans), and both have been classically bad since the Browns returned in 1999.
Detroit has seen a strong turnaround since 2022, with four straight winning records and two playoff appearances, while Cleveland has made the playoffs twice since 2020 but has seen four losing seasons in that timeframe as well.
According to Joel Walkowski, author of the book “Honolulu Blues: How The Detroit Lions Saved My Life,” fans of the Browns and Lions are 1a and 1b in having “the worst go of it of any franchise,” similar to the NBA’s GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James:
Obviously, Walkowski has a bias, as we all do.
A look at the historical numbers between each team:
Maybe Walkowski is on to something, big picture and in the long-term. For the more recent history, the Browns have been far more downtrodden and have had an organization that has made mind-numbing decision after mind-numbing decision.
Then again, Detroit and Cleveland are also the only two teams since the strike-shortened season of 1982 to have winless seasons, so both fan bases have gone through a lot.
Overall, which fan base do you think has it worse? Do you agree with Walkowski because of the whole history of the franchises or do you think it is the Browns given the history since The Return in 1999?
Join the conversation below in our comment section
Sign up for a user account and get:
With Summer League play in the rearview mirror and most of the major free agency decisions having been made, now is a good time to look back on some players whose fantasy values have been affected by the changes. Today's column focuses on those who stand to be more valuable to fantasy managers, starting with a Grizzlies wing heading into his second NBA season.
Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to four games in his final college season, many were unsure what to make of Coward's fantasy value going into the 2025-26 campaign. As a rookie, he would appear in 62 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 three-pointers per game, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.
With the franchise moving on from Ja Morant and Santi Aldama this summer, Coward should be empowered to be one of the Grizzlies' leaders moving forward. He played well in Summer League, helping lead Memphis to the title game in Las Vegas, and has already established good chemistry with lottery pick Cameron Boozer. While Coward finished last season ranked outside the top-100 in fantasy basketball, his floor should be higher than that in 2026-27.
Kessler's time in Utah came to an end this summer, with the Jazz agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the Lakers. The 7-footer appeared poised for a breakout campaign in 2025-26, but a torn labrum in his left shoulder ended Kessler's season after just five games. In Los Angeles, he'll be asked to serve as the lob threat to play off Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. And the Lakers' defensive issues mean there are likely to be even more shot-blocking opportunities for Kessler, who has averaged 2.4 rejections per game in his four NBA seasons.
This has been a summer of significant change for the Hornets, who bid farewell to LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges in two separate trades. The departure of the former should mean more time on the ball for Knueppel, last season's runner-up for Rookie of the Year, even with the Hornets re-signing Coby White. He started 80 of the 81 games he played in 2025-26, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.4 three-pointers per game. Already one of the best shooters in the NBA, more playmaking opportunities will raise Knueppel's fantasy ceiling next season.
Of the five players the Nets selected in the first round of the 2025 draft, Dëmin is the one who has shown the most promise. Remember when his perimeter shot was considered to be a significant question mark? Well, Dëmin was productive in both summer leagues the Nets appeared in. In Las Vegas, he averaged 21.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.0 three-pointers in three appearances. Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle will be the first options offensively for the Nets next season, but Dëmin's upside can't be ignored, especially with his improved shooting.
Reid's time in Minnesota came to an end this summer when the Timberwolves dealt him to Charlotte as part of the LaMelo Ball trade. However, the move east puts the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year in a position to start consistently, especially after the Hornets also traded Miles Bridges. A consistent top-100 player in fantasy basketball the last few seasons, Reid should be selected much earlier in drafts this fall due to the opportunity in front of him.
Reed's play during the postseason was one of the bright spots for the Pistons, who were eliminated by the Cavaliers in the second round. And with Detroit trading Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, Reed will now serve as the backup center, provided the Pistons get a deal done with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. While he may not be a player worth selecting with a top-100 pick, Reed's consistent role makes him more valuable to fantasy managers than in the past, when he was little more than a streamer when someone was injured.
Dybantsa only appeared in two games in Las Vegas, but even when considering the level of competition, he looked ready to make an immediate impact for the Wizards next season. In those outings, the former BYU standout averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Dybantsa did not shoot the ball well from three in Las Vegas, but that should not be a major concern once he's able to share the floor with Trae Young and Anthony Davis, among others, in the nation's capital.
More active than most of the top picks who saw action in Las Vegas, Wilson was highly productive for the Bulls. In four games, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks and 3.3 three-pointers while shooting 50 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three. Wilson did have some issues with turnovers, averaging 5.3 per game, but that should not be a major concern for fantasy managers once the regular season begins. He should be a force once the games truly count.
Viewing Boozer as a "high floor" player may be selling him short, especially when considering how well he played in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He played in all six of Memphis' games in Sin City, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 three-pointers while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the foul line. This season marks the official beginning of a new era in Memphis, and Boozer is expected to be one of the leaders. He's got the ability to take on that role.
One of the questions lingering over the Lakers this summer was whether they could land LeBron James in free agency. Well, he picked Philadelphia, which gave Lendeborg's fantasy value as a rookie a boost. The Most Valuable Player of the Vegas Summer League, he filled the stat line on most days, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per game. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody set to begin the season on the sideline as they recover from knee injuries, Lendeborg may find himself in the starting lineup as a rookie. And his versatility should mesh well with a lineup headlined by Stephen Curry.
During his lone season at Arizona, Burries spent most of his time off the ball due to Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley running the point. The Bucks put the ball in his hands quite often in Las Vegas, and Burries delivered. In four appearances, he averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers, shooting 50 percent from the field.
Milwaukee's backcourt is a bit crowded following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, with Tyler Herro joining a rotation that already had Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. However, with Burries showing that he's capable of playing either guard spot, there should be no lack of opportunities for the rookie. That said, fantasy managers may have to exercise some patience due to the veterans in front of him.
Thomas put on a show in Las Vegas and appears ready to provide needed scoring off the bench as a rookie in Cleveland. In four games, the second-round pick averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.5 three-pointers, leading the entire Summer League in scoring. The opportunity to play off James Harden and Donovan Mitchell should benefit Thomas, as the offensive gravity of both veterans can open up the floor for their teammates.
After drafting Collin Murray-Boyles last summer, the Raptors may have another potential category league star on their hands. Graves may have come off the bench during his one season at Santa Clara, but he was an advanced-stats darling in the pre-draft process for his ability to contribute in multiple areas.
In four games in Las Vegas, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers on excellent shooting splits (51.0/50.0/100). The lingering Kawhi Leonard situation makes it somewhat challenging to project Graves' value in redraft leagues, but managers in dynasty leagues should not hesitate to select him if available.
In another surprising development for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2026 offseason, the team announced on Saturday that they signed 2026 first-round pick Nikita Klepov to a three-year entry-level contract.
The Ducks drafted Klepov (18) with the 15th overall selection a month ago with a pick they acquired from the St. Louis Blues, along with the 29th overall pick (later to become the 28th pick, Marcus Nordmark), in exchange for Mason McTavish.
Outlook for the Anaheim Ducks Blueline, Losing Three Veteran Right Shots
Anaheim Ducks Long Term Salary Cap Outlook, How it was Impacted by Leo Carlsson's Offer Sheet
Following the first round, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek stated that had Klepov not been available at 15, the Ducks would not have made the trade and that he felt Klepov had a “fast track” to the NHL.
After those comments, nobody anticipated that the fast track would be quite so fast, as Klepov had previously committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season. That will no longer be an option, and neither will the AHL, as he will not be 19 years old at the start of the season. He’ll either play in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks or return to the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.
In theory, he would be eligible to play AHL games with the San Diego Gulls on a conditioning stint should he be healthy scratched for five or more consecutive NHL games.
In 2025-26, Klepov led the OHL in scoring with 97 points (37-60=97) in 67 regular season games to earn OHL Rookie of the Year honors and added five points (1-4=5) in four playoff games. To some, that may suggest he has outgrown the OHL and should be in the NHL come autumn.
The Ducks’ newest Russian winger is listed at 6-foot and 186 pounds and stated that the decision to head to the NCAA was to fill out his frame and refine the details in his game. Modeling his game after Nikita Kucherov, Klepov is an offensive dynamo, as creative, skilled, intelligent, manipulative, slippery, and tenacious as anyone in his draft, with a nose for the back of the net.
Klepov sniffs out pucks in all three zones, but is at his best when leading a cycle in the offensive zone, working low-to-high and across the top of the circles, confident and deceptive, consistently scanning for high-percentage, dangerous plays.
The Deerfield Beach, Florida native, who grew up in Russia until 2023, is eligible to play in the 2027 World Junior Championship for the United States should the Ducks be willing to loan him out, much like the Seattle Kraken developed Shane Wright in 2022-23.
The Ducks could also map out a rookie season as they had with Leo Carlsson in 2023-24, utilizing selective healthy scratches to maximize his off-ice training and avoid a mid-season fatigue wall. They had planned a similar rookie season for Beckett Sennecke in 2025-26, but Sennecke’s immediate impact, for all intents and purposes, forced the Ducks to play him every night.
Ultimately, Klepov will likely have the same opportunity Sennecke had a year ago, where his games played and ice time will be in his control. If he plays well enough and is an instant success, the Ducks won’t have a choice but to play him every night.
The Ducks will likely have some surgery to perform on their depth chart before opening night, as Cutter Gauthier remains unsigned and their cap space is limited. Troy Terry will miss the first two or three months of the regular season, and the team may need to offload a veteran forward to free some cap space, potentially opening a depth chart spot, relatively high in the lineup, for Klepov or another young forward to seize.
5 Must-Watch Games for the Ducks’ 2026-27 Season
Report: New Information from Leo Carlsson's Agents on Offer Sheet Saga
Anaheim Ducks Match Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet, Alter Landscape for 2026-27 Season
The FanDuel Sportsbook has put out win totals for all 30 NBA teams for the upcoming 2026-27 season. It’s been quite a fun offseason, as the player and coach movement has been interesting to follow. As the league enters the final stretch of the offseason before camp begins in September, now is a good time to take stock of the league with the season win totals offered by FanDuel.
I suppose there’s no reason to bury the lead here. FanDuel has given the Mavericks an over/under of 35.5 wins for the 2026-27 regular season. This win total places the Mavericks at 11th in the Western Conference.
Per Basketball Reference, this is the lowest win total that Dallas has been given since Luka Doncic’s rookie year in 2018-19, where the line was also 35.5 (the Mavericks went on to win 33 games that year). This number has also moved in recent days. As recently as last week, the Mavericks win total was 34.5. Perhaps there is some optimism out there amongst bettors.
It’s hard to square exactly what the team is in the odds market. Last year’s team had an over/under of 41.5 wins, and they never once looked like they would go over the total in route to a 26-win campaign. If the Mavericks were to go 36-46, that would hit the over and yet, I’m not sure many of you would be pleased with the result. It’s hard to improve by 10+ wins in just one season, especially when you account for the sheer overhaul that the organization underwent this offseason. As our colleague Matt wrote in recent days, this is setting up to be a gap year(s).
Full odds via the FanDuel Sportsbook
One thing that stands out to me: There are VERY clear tiers among teams in the west. The top two are on a tier of their own, followed by a solid middle class. But the bottom of the West, from the play-in on down, is going to be a complete mess. Prepare accordingly.
First blush, I like Houston over, Portland under and Utah over.
As tiered as the West is, buddy the entire Eastern Conference is a free-for-all. Of note, the books think the East is far deeper than the west, as Indiana at tenth in the East has a win total that would tie Portland for seventh in the West.
Early on, put me down for the Celtics over, the Knicks and Sixers under, and the Pacers over.
What do you think about the early odds? Let us know in the comments!
The Mets (45-62) and the Braves (62-44) continue their three-game series tonight at Citi Field. New York ripped Atlanta in the opener last night, 14-3.
Atlanta struck first in the opening inning when Ronald Acuña Jr., playing his first game after missing 37 games with a strained hamstring, singled and eventually scored on an Ozzie Albies RBI infield hit. The Mets answered immediately when Francisco Lindor ripped an RBI triple off the wall in right field.
Lindor put New York ahead in the third inning with a two-run homer off Braves starter Martín Pérez, but Atlanta responded in the fourth. Albies launched a two-run homer to left-center field, his 18th of the season, tying the game at 3-3.
The game remained tied into the sixth inning before New York finally broke through against the Atlanta bullpen. Marcus Semien crushed a two-run homer off Connor Thomas to give the Mets a 5-3 lead. The floodgates then opened. In the seventh, Tyrone Taylor continued to swing a hot bat, blasting a three-run homer to extend the lead to 8-3. Bo Bichette later added a sacrifice fly, and the Mets sent the game completely out of reach with a five-run eighth inning. Lindor capped the outburst with his second homer of the night, a three-run shot that gave him six RBIs on the evening.
New York pounded out 19 hits, with Lindor, Semien, Taylor, Bichette, and rookie A.J. Ewing all enjoying three-hit games. Zac Thornton earned the victory after allowing three runs over 6⅓ innings, while Atlanta reliever Connor Thomas suffered one of the roughest outings of the season, surrendering 11 earned runs on 10 hits in just 2⅔ innings.
Tonight, Atlanta turns to its ace, Chris Sale (11-6, 2.19 ERA) with an eye on evening the series. Sale has once again been one of the National League's most dominant starters. Over his last eight starts, the veteran has allowed 12 earned runs in 44 innings.
The Mets counter with Christian Scott (3-2, 3.13 ERA), who has quietly put together a strong season. Since the start of May, the 27-year-old has pitched 62 innings and allowed just 21 earned runs.
Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
The expected MLB trade deadline frenzy got off to an unofficial start on Saturday, July 25, with the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals making a good, old-fashioned pitching-for-hitting swap.
But as the clock ticks down to the Aug. 3 deadline, teams are getting even more anxious to make deals that could potentially help them win a 2026 World Series ring.
First off, there are the most obvious trade candidates − players who are in the final year of their contracts and players who could benefit from a change of scenery.
But there are also under-the-radar sleepers who could end up being the missing piece for any number of playoff contenders.
Who will be dealt and who will stay put? We have six days to find out the answers.
Teams must have their trade details finalized and submitted to the league office by the deadline in order for any acquired players to be eligible for the playoffs. After that, players on 40-man rosters can't be traded.
Cody Bellinger's hamstring injury is the latest in the New York Yankees' recent string of painful losses. They now have an entire outfield on the IL with Bellinger joining Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
GM Brian Cashman is desperately in search of depth at the position, but complicating matters is the fact that two of the team's best trade chips − Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez − are outfielders. And both are currently starting.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman suggests the Royals' Lane Thomas, the Reds' Spencer Steer, the Angels' Jo Adell and Jorge Soler, and the Blue Jays' George Springer could be possible trade targets.
Steer, however, is currently on the injured list with a partially torn tendon in his right wrist. And Springer, a longtime Yankee nemesis, would seem an unlikely match coming from an AL East rival.
The Yankees are also in search of catching help, which could take away resources they might otherwise need to acquire an outfielder.
Don't expect a final answer to this question until the last possible moment.
The Tigers have the talent to make the postseason. They've been playing much better since Skubal returned from elbow surgery in mid-June. But they're not quite in playoff position just yet ... and likely won't be by the deadline.
The question is how close do they need to be to keep the two-time defending Cy Young award winner. Or how far back do they need to be to sell. At 50-57, Detroit is currently four games out of the third AL wild-card spot.
On the heels of a three-game losing streak, USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes the Tigers now "have no choice but to trade Skubal." He also expects No. 2 starter Casey Mize to be dealt as well.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline rumors: Yankees need OF help, Tarik Skubal watch is on
This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
The Storm Chasers won 5 of 6 against the Salt Lake Bees on the road. At the plate, Gavin Cross went 12-for-27, with 5 homers, 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 10 runs batted in, and was named International League Player of the week. After a horrific start to the season at the plate, Cross is now up to .249 on the season, with 10 homers and 21 stolen bases. Kyle Isbel will probably be returned from his rehab assignment soon, but I’d like Cross to get some time with the Royals late this season. Elsewhere, John Rave went 11-for-22, with a homer and 3 doubles. Drew Waters was 9-for-22 with a homer as well.
On the mound, Aaron Bummer threw 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Matt Moore threw 2.2 scoreless innings striking out 5, and Justin Topa threw 3.2 scoreless innings, striking out 5. These are the veteran guys the Royals have been signing lately, with the deadline looming and trades possible, these three would be the first replacement call ups more than likely. Mitch Spence threw 5 innings of 1 run ball in his lone start of the week, striking out 6.
The Storm Chasers return home this week to take on the St. Paul Saints. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Springfield Cardinals. On the mound, Hunter Patteson made 2 starts, totaling 10 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 11 hitters. Felix Arronde went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 5 in his lone start of the week. Oscar Rayo threw 5 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out 5 hitters.
At the plate, Luke Pelzer, who was just promoted from Quad Cities, went 10 for 24, scoring 3 runs as well. Daniel Vazquez went 7-for-21, with a double. Vazquez is a 22-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic. Sam Kulasingam went 6-for-23, with a homer.
The Naturals hit the road to take on the Tulsa Drillers, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
The River Bandits lost 5 of 6 to the Beloit Sky Carp. At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 4 for 20, with 3 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases. Jose Cerice went 6 for 17. Cerice is a 21-year-old infielder from Cuba. Derlin Figueroa was 4 for 22 with a homer and a double.
On the mound, Kendry Chourio went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 4 in his lone start of the week. Tanner Jones threw 4 innings of scoreless ball, allowing 2 hits, striking out 3. Jones was the Royals 6th round draft pick in 2024 out of Texas A&M. Blake Wolters threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 1 hit and striking out 7.
The River Bandits return home this week to take on the Dayton Dragons. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
The Fireflies won 5 of 6 from the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. On the mound, Ryan McDonagh threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, striking out 6 batters. McDonagh threw a no-hitter for 5.2 innings. McDonagh is a 20-year-old right hander from Canada. Jose Gutierrez threw 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 3. Shane Van Dam threw 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 7 in his lone start of the week.
At the plate, Sean Gamble went 7-for-20, with a double and home run. Gamble has battled back from a brutal start to the season and has raised his average to .203. Josh Hammond went just 3-for-21, cooling him off from the great month of July he’s having. Yandel Ricardo went 8-for-17, with a double and a triple.
The Fireflies hit the road to take on the Augusta GreenJackets. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Transitioning away from professional hockey is rarely a seamless process. For athletes who have defined their entire existence by the daily routine of rink visits, team travel, and game nights, stepping away from the sport often brings an abrupt, jarring shift in identity.
For former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell, however, stepping off the ice hasn't meant stepping away from supporting athletes. Campbell is channeling his experiences into a brand-new calling as a mental wellness and performance coach—a career pivot that those who spent time sharing a dressing room with him say makes total sense.
Speaking at his annual charity golf tournament at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, Edmonton Oilers forward and former Maple Leafs teammate Zach Hyman offered high praise for Campbell's new venture. Having spent years alongside Campbell in Toronto, Hyman understands the challenge of leaving the game behind, but believes Campbell’s personal qualities make him uniquely qualified for the road ahead.
"Happy for him, excited for him," Hyman said when asked about Campbell’s career change. "It's not easy to transition from being a hockey player into doing something else. We live our whole life—since you're four years old, you put your skates on and you go play, and then oftentimes it's hard to find what your next passion is, right?"
Campbell’s journey through professional hockey was anything but a straight line. Drafted in the first round (11th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2010, he carried the massive weight of high expectations early in his career. After struggling to find his footing, he endured years of minor league resets before eventually reinventing himself with the Los Angeles Kings and earning a trade to Toronto in early 2020.
In Toronto, Campbell captured the hearts of Leafs fans with his infectious positivity, raw vulnerability, and stellar play—including setting an NHL record for the longest season-opening win streak by a goaltender (11 games) during the 2020-21 campaign and earning an NHL All-Star nod in 2022. Yet, his career was also marked by deep personal accountability and open struggles with confidence during tough stretches under the intense media spotlight of a major market.
It is precisely those real-life highs and lows that Hyman believes will resonate so strongly with athletes seeking Campbell's guidance today.
"I think it fits his bill," Hyman explained. "Like, he's a great guy to talk to. He loves to listen. He's caring, and I think that he'll be a great mental wellness coach. I think that's what he's going for. And he's experienced a lot of ups and downs in his career, and I think he can relate to a lot of players."
In modern professional sports, mental health and performance psychology are no longer relegated to the background; they are recognized as vital components of an athlete's overall health and longevity. Players are under more scrutiny than ever before, navigating social media noise, high-pressure contract years, and the mental toll of injuries.
"Playing in Toronto was the coolest thing in the world"
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) July 22, 2026
This morning on #FirstUp, former #LeafsForever goalie Jack Campbell shares what it was like to play in a Canadian market and if there was extra pressure that comes with it. pic.twitter.com/CvqxkylIWJ
While traditional sports psychologists offer crucial theoretical framework, Campbell brings something exceedingly rare to the table: authentic, battle-tested perspective from someone who has lived through the absolute highest peaks and lowest valleys of modern NHL goaltending.
From being hailed as a savior in Toronto to working through difficult stretches in Edmonton and the AHL, Campbell has walked in the shoes of players struggling to find their game under intense public scrutiny.
As Campbell turns the page on his playing days, his transition represents a meaningful next chapter. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most genuine teammates in recent Maple Leafs memory, taking those same empathetic traits into a field where they are needed most.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Diamondbacks walked off by Pirates, drop 3 straight vs. Wild Card competitors by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
Brandon Lowe delivered the game-winning single, as the Diamondbacks have dropped three straight games to fellow National League Wild Card contenders on what many players called the most important road trip of the season. Lowe’s walk-off knock off Taylor Clarke ricocheted off the glove of first baseman Ildemaro Vargas.
The Diamondbacks had their chance in the top of the 10th, as a throwing error from Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales set up Arizona with runners on second and third with one out. Gabriel Moreno, the Diamondbacks’ hottest hitter, struck out looking on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. After an intentional walk to Ketel Marte, Max Kepler — who delivered three hits on Monday — hit a line drive to center field that hung up too long.
Diamondbacks fall to Pirates in extra innings by Nick Piecoro [AZ Central]
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which had a rough afternoon in Washington the day before, coughed up a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. With two out, the Pirates got consecutive doubles from Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds to tie the game off reliever Jonathan Loaisiga.
Reynolds’ at-bat was interrupted by the ejection of Pirates manager Donnie Kelly, who was thrown out by third-base umpire Ben May after ostensibly complaining about check-swing calls that went against Reynolds.
D-backs Reportedly Turned Down by Red Sox Before Connelly Early Trade by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
Piecoro went on to reveal that the Diamondbacks had spoken to the Red Sox about this type of deal. He did not state whether it was Early, specifically, who was on Arizona’s radar, but it’s a good bet that was the case.
But the Red Sox weren’t interested, and it had to do with the players the D-backs were able to give up in exchange. Boston reportedly preferred to land a more major-league caliber player, as opposed to hitters who were closer to being prospects than everyday major league bats.
Diamondbacks not looking to trade Ketel Marte as he nearly wipes Instagram feed by Damon Allred [Arizona Sports]
Many Diamondbacks fans grew worried there was a rift between Ketel Marte and Arizona when the star second baseman wiped his Instagram feed almost entirely over the weekend.
As of Monday morning, the Diamondbacks are not looking to trade Marte, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro said.
Marte, who was previously very active on Instagram, deleted all posts but one, including those related to the Diamondbacks and others that were not.
D-Backs’ Torey Lovullo shuts down Ketel Marte tension rumors after Instagram buzz by Wendy Lopez [Burn City Sports]
“First, I don’t even know what scrubbing is,” Lovullo told reporters, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. “I don’t get it. I mean, I’m a baseball manager. I’ve connected with Ketel just to find out how he’s doing. Everything is in a good spot. I know that everybody wants to make some drama that’s taking place here. It’s nothing like it seems.”
Max Scherzer grinds through birthday return to Nationals Park by Ian Quillen [MLB]
Max Scherzer’s second return from an IL stint this season went better than his first, enough so that he’s hopeful for what could still be ahead.
Scherzer labored through 2 2/3 innings on 75 pitches on his 42nd birthday, but he escaped by allowing only one run in his former home park in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 win over the Nationals in Monday night’s series opener.
MLB 2026 trade deadline: What NL contenders need to beat Dodgers by Jesse Rogers [ESPN]
It seems like, for much of the 2026 season, the top question in the National League — and Major League Baseball as a whole, really — has been: Who are the biggest threats to the Los Angeles Dodgers?
The teams in that category as we come out of the All-Star break and enter the second half of the season: the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.
Atlanta and Milwaukee lead their respective divisions, while Chicago and Philadelphia hold the first and second wild-card spots, respectively. The Dodgers are cruising to another NL West title, with a 12-game edge over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks, meaning they will likely make their 14th consecutive postseason appearance in 2026, tying Atlanta’s record of 14 straight playoffs from 1991 to 2005.
Mead for Early: It’s a Challenge Trade! by Michael Baumann [FanGraphs]
The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals kicked off trade deadline season in earnest on Saturday night, when Boston sent left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Nats for corner infielder Curtis Mead.
Most consequential trades this time of year involve a contender swapping one or more prospects for an established big leaguer. Not so this one. At the time of the trade, the Red Sox and Nationals were in similar positions in the standings: The Sox were 53-50, seven and a half games out of the division lead, but half a game up in the AL Wild Card race. The Nats were 53-52, eight and a half games out of first place in the NL East, but only two games out of a Wild Card spot. Both teams are playing with house money: Boston on account of being 14 games under .500 less than five weeks ago, and Washington on account of… everything that’s happened since the start of the 2020 season.
Cubs, White Sox Reportedly Showing Interest In Reid Detmers by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
Detmers and rotation mate José Soriano are both under arbitration control through the 2028 season. The former is playing on a $2.625MM salary, a little over $775K of which will be owed after the deadline.
The Angels could seek multiple top 100 prospects to part with two and a half years of very affordable control over an above-average starter. They’re in an odd spot with interim general manager John Mozeliak running their deadline, but recent reporting suggests they’re more open to conversations on their controllable players than they’d been in prior years. The aforementioned two starters and shortstop Zach Neto would be their top trade candidates and could rejuvenate a weak farm system if the Halos are truly open to a rebuild.
The Yankees took home an exciting win on Monday to kick off a series on the south side of Chicago. Ben Rice had a clutch hit in the seventh to give them the lead, and Ali Sánchez’s three-run homer put the nail in the coffin against the White Sox. With the Rays off for the day, it was a free mini-jump for New York in the East to 2.5 games behind Tampa Bay.
Despite the shorter schedule, there was still plenty of action to take in around the American League, so let’s take a look at what went down to open up the week.
Boston Red Sox (54-50) 4, Toronto Blue Jays (48-58) 2
With the Rays off for the day, The Red Sox game out in Sacramento was likely of chief concern for the Yanks. Things were tight for much of the evening, before one big hit propelled Boston to victory over the Athletics.
The A’s jumped ahead early, when Tyler Soderstrom belted a solo shot in the bottom of the first. The lefty’s 17th homer of the season gave his crew the lead, one they held on to for some time. Starter Jack Perkins pitched well to begin the game, keeping the Red Sox out of the run column for the first five innings of the game.
In the sixth inning, still trailing 1-0, the Red Sox finally made their move. A double from Connor Wong and a two-out walk to Willson Contreras ended the day for Perkins, and suddenly had the A’s on the ropes. José Suarez came on in relief, but found himself in even more trouble by immediately walking Wilyer Abreu. In the next at-bat, Ceddanne Rafaela broke the game open with a towering wall-scraper of a grand slam into left-center field.
Suddenly trailing, the A’s began to answer back with a Jonah Heim solo shot in the bottom half of the inning. His 10th long ball of the season cut their deficit to two runs, but wasn’t enough to help get his squad back in front. After a quiet seventh and eighth innings, the A’s were tasked with taking on Aroldis Chapman in the ninth.
They certainly kept the game interesting, as a hit from Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz reaching on an error had the winning run at the plate for the Athletics. Chapman dialed it in under pressure, however, as the veteran flamethrower notched back-to-back strikeouts to bring this game to a close as a 4-2 Boston win. The Red Sox surge continues as they hold the second Wild Card berth in the American League with the win. There was some concern, however, as new acquisition Curtis Mead was forced to leave the game early after being hit by a pitch in the fifth. X-rays were at least negative. The team said that he is “day-to-day with a bruised wrist.”
Other Games
Texas Rangers (53-52) 7, Seattle Mariners (52-55) 4: The Rangers did the bulk of their work early in a big divisional game against Seattle on Monday. They scored all seven of their runs in the first three innings, all of which came one homers, with Joc Pederson, Pederson again, Ezequiel Duran, and Jake Burger all going deep in the surge. Kumar Rocker allowed just a pair of runs while striking out seven in his outing, which was more than enough to get by for Texas. Four different Rangers tallied multiple hits, with Pederson’s pair of homers being the highlight. It was an important win for them over their division rival, as the Rangers’ lead grows to 2.5 games with the Astros also passing the M’s thanks to a ninth-inning rally in Anaheim.
